¹⁹ If it seems good to the king, let a royal word go forth from him, and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media so ^(A)that it cannot ^[a]be repealed, that Vashti may no longer come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to ^[b]another who is better than she.

⁸ Now you write to the Jews, according to what is good in your eyes, in the king’s name, and ^(A)seal it with the king’s signet ring; for a written decree which is written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s signet ring ^(B)may not be turned back.”

¹² Then they came near and ^(A)said before the king concerning the king’s injunction, “Did you not sign an injunction that any man who seeks to make a petition ^[a]to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions’ den?” The king answered and said, “The word is certain, according to the ^(B)law of the Medes and Persians, which ^[b]may not be revoked.”

¹⁵ Then these men came ^[a]by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a ^(A)law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”